Democracy Flashcards
Describe representative democracy
- Most common model found in the democratic world.
- A form of democracy where the people choose representatives who make political decisions on their behalf, often by election, and it implies representatives accountablility for what they do.
- Examples include parliament and devolved parliament
Describe direct democracy
- A form of democracy where the people themselves make key decisions. In modern societies, this usually takes the form of referendums.
- Used interchangeably as part of a debate.
- Often for any constitutional changes, or asking the public about moral decisions such as war, euthanasia or abortion. Includes Brexit 2016.
Describe accountability and its importance
- Representatives act responsibly and in the electorate’s interest.
- Accountability of both the individual and the government as a whole often occurs during election time - creates democracy.
During election campaigns:
- Opposition highlights the govt’s shortcomings and offers alternatives if elected) while the current govt justifies and explain why they should be re-elected
- Individuals held accountable for their performance.
- Between elections - accountability is less certain, but the legislature can hold the Govt to account, but not as likely for individual MPs.
- But representation has different meanings and forms.
Different forms of representation
- Social
- Constituency
- National interest
- Party
- Casual
- Functional
Describe social representation
- Implies the characteristics of the representative are in line with the population as a whole.
- i.e. the composition should be proportional (number of women, ethnic and religious minorities, and a good range of age and class backgrounds).
- Difficult to achieve - UK Parliament falls short.
Describe representing national interest
- Despite being elected locally or regionally, if they sit in the national Parliament, representatives are expected to represent the national interest.
- Even if it clashes with their local constituency (i.e.. local constituency near an airport dislikes expansion due to noise and pollution - but is national interest to do so).
- Not all issues cause such a dilemma, for example foreign policy tends to not have local effects.
Describe constituency representation
- The locality that elects a representative in UK national politics is known as a constituency.
Implies they:
+ Represents the constituency as a whole (issues that arise locally).
+ Represent the interests of individual constituents, known as redress of grievances - individual feels they have suffered an injustice.
+ Listen to the views when deciding to a national issue (leads to dilemma when the elected personally disagrees with the majority view).
- Last issue becomes a matter of conscience - resolved by the individuals concerned (done during EU referendum campaigning).
Describe party representation
- All modern democracies are characterised by the existence of political parties:
Vast majority of those winning and seeking election are political party members - unusual to find independent representatives not belonging to a party. - Parties have stated policies, contained during election time in a manifesto.
- Follows that party members seeking to be elected will campaign on the basis of the manifesto.
- Represent the party + voters understand they are.
Describe functional representation
- Some represent not only their constituency, but also a particular occupational or social group.
- i.e. those who support and are supported by trade unions often pursue the cause of workers; others represent professions like doctors or teachers.
- Can include groups like the elderly, disabled, LGBTQ+ or low income groups.
- Can be represented by interest groups outside the parliamentary system, but FR can still flourish within elected legislative bodies (select committees),
Describe casual representation
- Rep bodies aren’t representing people so much as ideas, principles and causes.
- It represents the whole community, in that the beliefs and demands involved benefit all.
- Typical causes: environmental protection, individual rights and greater equality.
- Pressure groups carry out the most casual representation - but the elected still supports such causes.
